Collector means for solar energy collecting system

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, an improved collector means for a solar energy collector system having an absorber plate and a glazing panel spaced from at least one side of the absorber plate in which a cap means is coupled to and extends along one edge of the absorber plate and a depending leg extends over the complimentary edge of the glazing panel, the cap means having formed therein at least one air channel conforming in shape to the cross-sectional shape of the cap means and having air inlet means adjacent the bottom of a leg of the cap means in communication with the channel and an air outlet means adjacent the top of the cap means and in communication with the channel and adapted to permit currents of cooling air to pass therethrough from the inlet to the outlet, thereby maintaining said complimentary edge of the glazing panel relatively cool. In a preferred embodiment, the improved collector means is mounted edgewise adjacent the bottom of a parabolic trough-type reflector means and has a glazing panel on both exposed sides thereof. In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the glazing panel is a flexible sheet material detachably coupled adjacent one edge of the absorber plate and the other end of a glazing material comprises a supply roll mounted adjacent the other edge of the absorber plate, whereby a fresh surface of glazing sheet material can be withdrawn from the roll and mounted parallel to the absorber plate as needed. Preferably, the roll of glazing sheet material is spring loaded so as to maintain the material taut, for example by a window shade-type roll means.

That which is claimed: 
     
       1. Collector means for a solar energy collector system including an absorber plate means having at least one side thereof exposed to solar rays, comprising: (a) a transparent flexible glazing sheet mounted generally parallel to the exposed side of said absorber plate and spaced therefrom;   (b) one end of said glazing sheet being detachably coupled to said absorber plate adjacent one edge of said absorber plate.   (c) the other end of said glazing sheet comprising a supply roll of glazing sheet material mounted adjacent the other edge of said absorber plate;   (d) whereby fresh glazing sheet material can be withdrawn from said supply roll and mounted parallel to said absorber plate as needed; and   (e) cap means coupled to and extending along one edge of said absorber plate and having a downwardly depending leg extending at least partially over the complimentary edge of said glazing sheet and spaced therefrom;   (f) said cap having formed therein at least one air channel generally conforming in shape to the cross-sectional shape of said cap, including air inlet means adjacent the bottom of said leg of said cap and in communication with said channel and air outlet means adjacent the top of said cap and in communication with said channel and adapted to permit currents of cooling air to pass therethrough from said inlet to said outlet.   
     
     
       2. Collector means in accordance with claim 1 wherein the absorber plate is mounted so as to expose both sides thereof to solar rays, like glazing sheets are mounted on both sides of said absorber plate and the cap is an inverted generally U-shaped cap with the depending legs thereof extending at least partially over the edges of said flexible glazing sheets. 
     
     
       3. Collector means in accordance with claim 1 wherein the channel includes two parallel channels in at least the depending leg portion thereof. 
     
     
       4. Collector means in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one edge of the glazing sheet is spring biased to maintain said glazing sheet taut. 
     
     
       5. Collector means in accordance with claim 4 wherein the biasing means is a window shade-type roller supporting the supply roll. 
     
     
       6. Collector means in accordance with claim 1 wherein the absorber plate is mounted edgewise adjacent the bottom of a parabolic trough-type reflector means, both sides of said absorber plate are thus exposed to solar rays, like glazing sheets are mounted on both sides of said absorber plate and the cap is an inverted, generally U-shaped cap with its depending legs extending at least partially over said glazing sheets. 
     
     
       7. Collector means in accordance with claim 1 wherein the absorber plate is a fluid-type heat exchange means having tubular channels formed therein and adapted to carry head exchange fluid. 
     
     
       8. Collector means in accordance with claim 1 wherein the outside surface of the cap is reflective to solar rays.